Belief to reflect in everyday living, says President

MUSLIMS around the country came together in their respective groups yesterday to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.

The special occasion was marked with shared modest feasts and speeches about the life and teachings of the prophet.

And for the first time in 53 years, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji were humbled to receive State representative President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

"Indeed a good measure of our religious belief should be reflected in our everyday living in how one develops personally and spiritually," Ratu Epeli said yesterday as chief guest at the celebrations in Samabula.

"I have every confidence that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji and its members can take great pride in having contributed meaningfully towards the whole of Fiji's development over the years."

He said sections of the Constitution were dedicated to creating a Fiji where respect for various religious beliefs was ensured.

"The logic of declaring Fiji a secular State is amongst other things to provide everyone without exception the right to practice, hold and promote one's religion.

"It is also to protect all religions and to ensure that no one religion or sect within a religion has undue advantage over other religions or sect."